FRANCA, Brazil (Interstat) — The Brazilian NBB playoff series between UNICEUB and Franca is tied at two games apiece, setting up a pivotal Game 5 on Thursday at Ginasio Pedro Murilla Fuentes.

Franca, the top seed with a 44-14 regular-season record, will host sixth-seeded UNICEUB (32-14) at 8 p.m. local time. The home team has won each of the first four games of the best-of-seven semifinal series, including Franca’s 76-67 victory on May 18 and a 91-74 blowout on May 23. UNICEUB responded with a 67-50 win at home on May 21 and then stole home-court advantage Tuesday with a 71-69 triumph in Franca.

UNICEUB center Rafael Paulichi has been a consistent presence in the series. In Tuesday’s win, he logged 36 minutes, scoring 13 points with five rebounds and one assist. Over his past four meetings with Franca, Paulichi has averaged 13 points and 5.5 rebounds while playing heavy minutes: 33 or more in three of those games. In the May 23 loss, he posted 19 points and nine rebounds. Guard Kevin Crescenzi contributed 15 points and seven rebounds in Tuesday’s win, while forward Daniel Von Haydin added five points and nine rebounds.

Franca counter with center Rafael Mineiro, who led all scorers in Tuesday’s loss with 17 points and seven rebounds in 24 minutes. Mineiro has been effective in the series, though his production has varied. He went for eight points and three rebounds in the May 23 victory, but managed only eight points and two boards in the May 21 defeat. Guard George Lucas added 14 points and seven rebounds Tuesday, and forward Lucas Dias Silva posted a double-double with six points and 10 rebounds.

Both teams enter with contrasting recent form. UNICEUB has won three of its last four games overall, including a 72-69 victory over Flamengo on May 15. Franca had won three straight before Tuesday’s loss, including a 78-77 thriller against Mogi das Cruzes on May 15.

The game marks the sixth meeting between the clubs this season. Franca holds a 3-2 edge in the head-to-head series, including an 83-78 overtime win on April 14 and a 92-84 victory on Dec. 27, 2025.

Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. The winner will move one win away from advancing to the NBB finals.